Christmas Bureau Seeking Volunteers, People to Help

BY NATASHA ASHE
SALISBURY POST

If you are seeking assistance during the Christmas holidays or want to volunteer some time to help others, Rowan Christmas Bureau organizers are looking for you.

The Christmas Bureau is looking for elderly people, families with children and disabled individuals who need help for Christmas, as well as volunteers to serve them, but today at 4 p.m. is the last day applications will be accepted this month.

The application process will resume at the Paul Laurence Dunbar Family Resource Center in East Spencer as follows in December:

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 9-11:45 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 9-11:45 a.m. and 1-6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 3, 9-11:45 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.

The final date for submitting applications is Dec. 3. After that, organizers can consider only emergency situations like loss of a job or a natural disaster, according to Suzanne Carter Storch, executive director for Rowan Information and Referral.

Churches, individuals and businesses who want to sponsor people in need at Christmas should send a representative to the Community Sponsorship Day on Nov. 24 in the Stanback Room of the Rowan Public Library. The hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Storch said volunteers are also desperately needed on the afternoon of Dec. 2 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. and all day Dec. 3.

Local agencies and businesses are showing their support for the Christmas Bureau. Salisbury-Rowan HeadStart is providing transportation to parents who want to apply. Hardee's of Rockwell,

Jersey Mike's and Harris Teeter of Salisbury each provided lunches for volunteers. Kentucky Fried Chicken will provide lunch for those who help on Dec. 1, but sponsors are still needed to donate lunches for volunteers on Dec. 2 and 3.